Zayd ibn al-Harithah رضي الله عنه was one of the most beloved Companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the only Companion mentioned by name in the Qur’an.¹ He was known as the adopted son of the Prophet ﷺ before adoption in Islam was returned to its proper form, and he was among the earliest Muslims and the bravest warriors of the Ummah.
Early life and captivity
Zayd came from Banu Kalb, an Arab tribe from the north of the peninsula.² In his youth he was taken captive in a tribal raid and then brought to Mecca to be sold.³ He was bought by Khadijah bint Khuwaylid رضي الله عنها, who later gave him to the Prophet ﷺ before the beginning of the revelation.⁴
Freedom and the choice to remain with the Prophet ﷺ
When Zayd’s father Harithah and his uncle came to Mecca to ransom him, the Prophet ﷺ offered Zayd the choice of going with them or staying with him. Zayd freely chose the Prophet ﷺ out of his love for him and his trust in him.⁵ At this the Prophet ﷺ declared him his son according to the Arab custom of that time, so that he became known as Zayd ibn Muhammad.⁶
The correction of adoption in Islam
After the revelation, adoption in Islam was reformed so that children keep their own lineage. Allah ﷻ revealed:
Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allah
(Qur’an 33:5)⁷
After this Zayd was once again called Zayd ibn al-Harithah, and the Prophet ﷺ continued to treat him with affection.
One of the first to accept Islam
According to Ibn Hisham and Ibn Sa’d, Zayd was among the very first Muslims to accept Islam, together with Khadijah رضي الله عنها, Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه and Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه.⁸
He was part of the small early community of believers who stood firm under heavy pressure and persecution in Mecca.
His marriage and divorce
Zayd married Zaynab bint Jahsh رضي الله عنها, a noblewoman of Quraysh. According to Ibn Kathir this marriage came about by command of the Prophet ﷺ in order to break old tribal pride and to demonstrate social equality.⁹
The marriage did not endure, and after their divorce Zaynab was given in marriage by Allah ﷻ to the Prophet ﷺ himself, which was revealed in the Qur’an.¹⁰ It served as a divine correction of the idea that the former adoptive relationship was the same as blood kinship.
Commander of expeditions
The Prophet ﷺ often appointed Zayd as commander of military expeditions; Ibn Sa’d records that he was commander more than ten times.¹¹
Martyrdom at Mu’tah
In the eighth year after the Hijrah, Zayd was appointed commander of the Islamic army at the Battle of Mu’tah, against Roman and Arab forces in the region of Jordan.¹³
The Prophet ﷺ established an order of succession of three commanders:
Zayd ibn al-Harithah رضي الله عنه
Ja’far ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه
Abdullah ibn Rawahah رضي الله عنه¹⁴
Zayd fought bravely until he fell as a martyr.¹⁵ The Prophet ﷺ wept at his death and praised his courage and loyalty.¹⁶
Zayd in the Qur’an
Zayd ibn al-Harithah is the only Companion mentioned in the Qur’an:
And when you said to the one on whom Allah bestowed favor and you bestowed favor…
(Qur’an 33:37)¹⁷
Qur’an 33:37
Ibn Sa’d, Tabaqat al-Kubra, biography of Zayd
Ibn Hisham, al-Sirah an-Nabawiyyah, account of the captivity
Ibn Sa’d, Tabaqat, chapter on Zayd and Khadijah
Ibn Hisham, account of Zayd’s choice
Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah wa-n-Nihayah, mention of the adoption
Qur’an 33:5
Ibn Hisham, list of the first Muslims; Ibn Sa’d, Tabaqat
Ibn Kathir, al-Bidayah, marriage and social legislation
Qur’an 33:37 and Tafsir Ibn Kathir
Ibn Sa’d, list of Zayd’s expeditions
Ibn Kathir, mention of Dumat al-Jandal
Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, Mu’tah
Sahih al-Bukhari, command structure at Mu’tah
Sahih Muslim, account of the martyrdom at Mu’tah
Ibn Sa’d and Ibn Hisham, description of the Prophet’s ﷺ grief
Qur’an 33:37
Sahih al-Bukhari, biography of Usamah ibn Zayd